How to Repair a Leaking Tub Faucet
Leaking tub faucets can be really annoying, primarily because of the constant dripping sound. According to researches, the volume of water wasted due to the constant leakage of an average sized tub faucet can reach up to 450 gallons in a month. This eventually adds up to your water bill at the end of the month. Water leakage from a tub faucet can be caused by a number of factors such as old and worn O-rings or a damaged inlet seal.
Things Required:
– Straight screwdriver
– Phillips screwdriver
– Pair of pliers
– Replacement O-rings or seals
Instructions
-
1
Visit a local hardware store and purchase the correct sized O-rings or inlet seals. If you do not know the exact size of the damaged tub faucet part, consider purchasing an assortment pack which will have more than one size of O-rings. This will save you another trip to the hardware store.
-
2
Before you attempt to repair the dripping tub faucet, ensure that the water supply to the bath tub is turned off. You can either turn-off the main water supply to your house, or you can use a nearby cut-off valve for this purpose.
-
3
With a straightedge screwdriver, rotate the screw on the handle counter-clockwise in order to loosen the screw. For a decorative faucet handle, you will probably have to remove a plastic cap from the centre of the faucet handle in order to reveal the handle screw.
-
4
Apply constant pressure on the handle of the faucet until the valve unit comes off. You may have to twist the handle from one side to the other a few times if the valve unit does not come off easily.
-
5
From the assorted pack of O-rings, choose the correct sized O-ring or inlet seal and replace the old with the new one. Check that the new part is properly sealed.
-
6
Reattach the valve unit and slowly tighten the handle screw by rotating it clockwise. Make sure you do not over-tighten the screw, otherwise you will end up damaging the faucet handle permanently.
